Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors are generally used in the treatment of depressive disorders and some neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the MAO [MAO (E.C.1.4.3.4)] inhibiting effect of various apitherapeutic products, such as chestnut honey, pollen and propolis. Extracts' MAO inhibition was measured using peroxidase-linked spectrophotometric assay in enzyme isolated from rat liver microsomes, and the values are expressed as the inhibition concentration (IC 50 ) causing 50% inhibition of MAO. The antioxidant activity of the bee products was also determined in terms of total phenolic content (TPC) and ferric reducing/ antioxidant power in aquatic extracts. All samples exhibited substantial inhibition of MAO, propolis having the highest. Inhibition was related to samples' TPCs and antioxidant capacities. These results show that bee products possess a sedative effect and may be effective in protecting humans against depression and similar diseases.

Background: Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.) is one of the most promising exotic fruits in terms of its biological capacity. Objective: In this work, ethanol extracts of the different parts (fruit, seed, root, body and leaf) of the P. peruviana were investigated in terms of their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Furthermore total phenolic and flavonoid contents, phenolic analysis and volatile compound analysis were exhibited. Method: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were calculted as gallic acid and quercetin equivalent respectively. Antioxidant activity were studied based on DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Antimicrobial activity were determined by disc diffusion method against several bacteria, a fungi and a yeast. Analysis for phenolic and volatile compounds were exhibited by using HPLC and GC-MS respectively. Results: The values obtained for the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and SC 50 values calculated for DPPH scavenging activities were compatible with each other. Extract prepared from the seed had the highest phenolic (4.956±0.001 mg GA/g sample) and flavonoid content (0.737±0.034 mg QE/g sample). Gallic acid and ferulic acid were detected in all extracts. The most volatile species (190 pieces) detected in root extract. Seed and fruit were the most effective parts of the P. peruviana in terms of their antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: According to obtained results it has been demonstrated that P. peruviana from Trabzon had good useful properties for human health and it would be useful to carry out further researchs on it.

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In this study, Pleurotus ostreatus was cultivated on tea (Camellia sinensis) and espresso wastes. Tea wastes were used in two forms; sterilized or non-sterilized. Then, total phenolic, flavonoid, condensed tannin contents, ferric reducing/antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging were used as antioxidant determinants and also protein content were investigated in these mushrooms' methanolic extracts. Same measurements were determined in mushrooms' growing medium except protein content. The highest protein content (20.89%) was found in non-sterilized tea wastes. The highest total phenolic (1.460±0.012 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid (0.120±0.005 mg QE/g), condensed tannin (0.877±0.011 mg CE/g) and the lowest scavenging of free radical activity (17.190±0.001 mg/mL) were determined in sterilized tea wastes. The highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (8.498±0.089 μmolFeSO4.7H2O/g) were determined in espresso wastes. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference between the sterilized and non-sterilized substrates for the total yield and biological efficiencies. In this case, it can be said that the kinds of substrates and their usage forms are very important in terms of energy savings especially does not require sterilization like tea wastes. Consequently, tea and espresso wastes can be used as a beneficial source of substrate material for Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom cultivation.

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